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Is my AquaMedic Chiller dead?
I just got back from the garage to check on things and the water was at 81 degrees. It never gets that high. I checked the back of the chiller and it was blowing out cold air. What does that mean? I have an AquaMedic Titan 1/2 HP Chiller. Had it for over 2 or so yrs. During October or so I kept hearing the compressor struggle trying to turn on. Do I need to replace it or is there a way to fix it? Thanks!!
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Have you cleaned it ever Edward?
Nick275 Gallon Envision Acrylics Tank, 70 gallon sump, BK 300 internal, Zeovit, 5 sequence darts (1 on a oceansmotions 4-way), medusa dual controller, 2 ebo jaer 250w heaters, 1/2 hp JBJ comercial chiller, 4 RO IIIs w/14k hamilitons, 4 VHOs super actinic, deltec pf500 Ca Rx, 3 reef ceramic pillar, and 1 reef ceramic mini-reef, 5 ceramic closed loop intake screen covers, with 50ish pounds of LR -
I never have. What do you mean by cleaning it? Vinegar through the inline piping?Originally posted by nbd13Comment
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Is the compressor still kicking on, and just not cooling, or is there no evidence of the compressor running?BrianComment
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sounds like there is no evidence of the compressor running. Just went back down and its still cool air with the temp stuck at 81. Worried
I just turned my lighting down an hr in case it gets hot in Houston this week.Comment
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shoot i cant remeber right now what you need to clean it with. let me find that stupid insctruction book that came with mine. it said something about cleaning something every couple months....
let me find it for you. although it sounds like the compressor is bad.
Nick275 Gallon Envision Acrylics Tank, 70 gallon sump, BK 300 internal, Zeovit, 5 sequence darts (1 on a oceansmotions 4-way), medusa dual controller, 2 ebo jaer 250w heaters, 1/2 hp JBJ comercial chiller, 4 RO IIIs w/14k hamilitons, 4 VHOs super actinic, deltec pf500 Ca Rx, 3 reef ceramic pillar, and 1 reef ceramic mini-reef, 5 ceramic closed loop intake screen covers, with 50ish pounds of LRComment
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If the compressor is bad, I need to replace the entire unit right?Comment
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well you might be able to call someone to get it fixed. not sure how much it will cost in relation to a new chiller.
Travis had someone come out and put something on his chiller you may want to shoot him a PM and see who he called.
maybe you can call the same type of guy and get it fixed.
Nick275 Gallon Envision Acrylics Tank, 70 gallon sump, BK 300 internal, Zeovit, 5 sequence darts (1 on a oceansmotions 4-way), medusa dual controller, 2 ebo jaer 250w heaters, 1/2 hp JBJ comercial chiller, 4 RO IIIs w/14k hamilitons, 4 VHOs super actinic, deltec pf500 Ca Rx, 3 reef ceramic pillar, and 1 reef ceramic mini-reef, 5 ceramic closed loop intake screen covers, with 50ish pounds of LRComment
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Thanks Nick. I need to watch the tank carefully until I figure something out. Hope I dotn loose all my precious collectable corals.
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You have to call one of the refrigeration tech guys to check the compressor maybe it needs gas the same thing happened to me a couple of months ago and all that the compressor needed was some gas it had a leak at one of the fittings.And also you have to clean the chiller at least once every six months to keep it running like new.
NestorComment
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there you go Edward, now call someone so you dont loose those corals!
if you are real worried you can always send me alittle "care" package to watch over until you get it figured out, haha.
serisouly though call the guys tomorrow and get them out to your house!
Nick275 Gallon Envision Acrylics Tank, 70 gallon sump, BK 300 internal, Zeovit, 5 sequence darts (1 on a oceansmotions 4-way), medusa dual controller, 2 ebo jaer 250w heaters, 1/2 hp JBJ comercial chiller, 4 RO IIIs w/14k hamilitons, 4 VHOs super actinic, deltec pf500 Ca Rx, 3 reef ceramic pillar, and 1 reef ceramic mini-reef, 5 ceramic closed loop intake screen covers, with 50ish pounds of LRComment
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And the fix only costed me $90 for the gas refill and the check up i dont know how much they charge over there but it was better than to buy a new chiller.
NestorComment
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A chiller is a simple refrigeration unit. If would cut it off, as it will damage it more if it is not already fried. I would call your local refrigerator repair shop or your local AC repairman. At a general labor rate of $80/ hr, it might be a toss up about buying a new one or not. The AquaMedic units might be a hard find for a new compressor as it is made in China, If you replace it look into the current brand as it should have parts that are sourced here in the US, ie a standard compressor.
IF you need the clean the condensor coils, you get get the cleaner at a local HVAC supply house.BrianComment
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Looked for a new one.. and here is the response I got:
Unfortunately, we do not have them in stock. We have been having the manufacturer dropship the item for us, but their warehouse burnt down last week and the product will not be available for about 2 months.
I would consider the Pacific Coast 1/4 horsepower chiller, part # CH-PC-CL-650 It will handle the same size aquarium.
Thank you and have a safe and happy New Year,
Todd GabrielComment
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Edward, right after I bought my 1/2 horse Pacific Coast I needed to get my house AC unit serviced and asked the repair man about it and he said not a problem if anything goes wrong. This guy had been in the business for several years and said their nothing more than a fridge type of device. He told me if I needed a compressor, he could find something of comparable size and make it work if need be. I wouldn't hesitate to buy the PCI chiller. Mine works great for my 340 gallons. Runs about 20 minutes per cycle and 2 or 3 times a day. Holds rock steady at 80 degrees (where it is set for).
HTH
Marshal265 gallon SPS tank. Bubble King 300 Internal, MRC CR-6 Calc Reactor. 3 400 watt 20k Helios. 90 gallon Frag tank plumbed into main display.Comment
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